Trendspotting at the Fancy Food Show: 10 great bites

Hungry gridlocked crowds packed San Francisco’s Moscone Center this week, seeking out the most delicious, unusual and oddball bites at the world’s largest food trade event, the Winter Fancy Food Show.

This year’s show, which ran Jan. 19 to 21, featured more than 1,360 purveyors, who served up gallons of condiments, mounds of chips and thousands of pounds of cheese, toffee, tea and more to the 18,000-plus visitors.

The hot trends included gluten-free foods that actually taste great; chocolate and more chocolate; piles of jerky flavored with lime, chipotle and tamarind; and sriracha-infused everything — including candy canes, mayonnaise, popcorn, chips and even lip balm.

In addition to the usual array of frighteningly creative dishes, this year’s event also featured some delectably good and good-for-you foods. Here’s a sampling of some of the very best bites, most of which can be found at your local market now, or very soon.

1. KRAVE JERKY

Say goodbye to jerky so desiccated that it hurts your jaw. Krave’s jerkys are soft, chewy and dusted with inventive flavor combinations, such as pineapple-orange, lemon-garlic and basil-citrus. $4.99 for 3.25 ounces on Amazon.

2. RUBY ROCKET’S FROZEN FRUIT AND VEGGIE POPS

Ruby Rockets founder Wendy Makkena was on hand to share fun tales of neighborhood kids begging for the “popsicles” in her freezer that were secretly laced with spinach and sweet potatoes. Her inspired selection of pops have no added sugar. $4.99 to $5.99 for a box of six at Mollie Stone’s and Sprouts Markets beginning in March.

3. WONDERFULLY RAW CHILI PUMPKIN SEED BRUSSEL BYTES

After eating way too many seaweed and kale chips, these crispy, savory, chunky, veggie bites hit the mark. They pack flavor, nutrition and crunch, plus they’re hearty enough to stand up to ambient humidity without turning soggy. $4.99-$5.99. for a 2-ounce bag. Look for them at Whole Foods in March.

4. REALBEANZ COCONUT WATER ICED COFFEE

Unlike so many bottled coffees, this one is light, barely sweet and tastes fresh-brewed. It’s made with 20 percent coconut water and sweetened with Erythritol and Stevia. Available in cappuccino and dark roast, they’re sold in 9.5-ounce glass jars for $1.99 to $2.49 at Piazza’s, Whole Foods, Gene’s Fine Foods and other markets.

5. MANCHESTER FARMS BACON-WRAPPED QUAIL

Quail are a bit high-maintenance for the home cook, which makes these unctuous, tender, smoky little bites all the more prized. A box of 40 is $32 at manchesterfarms.com.

6. ALTAR HERBAL MARTINI

Five elegant, alcohol-free concoctions made with herbs, tea, spices, fruit and vegetables make for interesting sips with enough layered flavors that they don’t even need alcohol. Chill, for example, is made with Asian plums, Thai lemon grass, fresh fennel, kumquats, Chinese schizandra berries, jasmine and black tea. Find it at BevMo for $20 per 32-ounce bottle.

7. SIMPLE & CRISP DRIED FRUIT CRISPS

Instead of offering just crackers and bread, this year’s cheesemongers also served stacks of crispy oranges and apples that paired perfectly with the cheese. The slices come in mini-packs of 15 slices for $4.99 or 30-slice packs for $8.99. Find them at specialty retailers and Whole Foods.

8. MARY’S GONE CRACKERS GRAHAM CRACKERS

The creative team behind Mary’s are cracker geniuses. After rocking the savory cracker category a few years ago, this time they have introduced gluten-free, vegan graham crackers for another big win. These grahams are sweet, crunchy, grainy and so tasty that you want another bite. They’re expected to hit the market soon. A 12-ounce box will sell for about $4. Look for them at Costco in coming months.

9. NORTHWOODS GOURMET GIRL CHARRED ONION KETCHUP

Forget regular ketchup. Grab a jar of this artisanal flavored version and you’ll never go back. The company makes five different flavors. This one is thick, chunky, a tiny bit sweet and addictively good. $8.99 for a 16-ounce jar at Crate & Barrel.

10. ANNA’S ALLERGEN-FREE PUMPKIN BREAD

Anna Sobaski knows what she’s doing in the baking realm. She has managed to create a line of 12 mixes that turn out breads with such great texture and flavor, they don’t taste like a compromise. They’re all good, but the pumpkin is stellar. Find them at Draeger’s markets for about $5.